Worry

Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.

Corrie ten Boom

Praying for Superabundance

Excerpts from J.M. Farro's devotional, "Superabundantly"

"Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--to Him be glory..." Ephesians 3:20-21 AMP

• I confess to being guilty of praying "just" or "only" prayers in the past. "Lord, if You'll 'just' do this, I'll be happy." Or, "Lord, if You'll 'only' do this, I won't ask You for another thing." It finally dawned on me one day that prayers like these do absolutely nothing for my faith. They don't challenge me, and they don't encourage my spiritual growth, or my intimacy with God.

• Yes, it's true that He knows everything before we tell Him about it, but asking demonstrates our humble dependence upon Him, and our belief that He hears us when we pray.

• Don't wait until you feel deserving to pray "superabundant" prayers. If you do, you will never pray them. Instead, go ahead and pray them in faith, trusting that the Lord will show you whatever it is you need to do to partner with Him to bring His highest blessings and purposes to pass in your life.
  

No Sacrifice

Jason Upton

To you I give my life
Not just the parts I want to
To You I sacrifice
These dreams that I hold onto

(Chorus)

Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
This is no sacrifice, here’s my life

To You I give the gifts
Your love has given me
How can I hoard the treasures
That You designed for free?

(Chorus)

To You I give my future
As long as it may last
To You I give my present
To You I give my past

Space In Between Us

Building 429

Look at my heart
Look at the mess I've got it in
I'm trying to trust in You
To know that You'll see me through
Through my pride
Through my shame
Into Your love
Into Your grace
I'm not looking back
Till I see Your face
And I'm running straight to You
Because

All I really want to do is to fall into
The emptiness that is
The space in between us
To break this division
All I really want to do is to fall into
The emptiness that is
The space in between us
Erase it and bring us back together again

My life's like an open book
Nothing is hidden when You look
You break through my boundaries
Revealing my insecurities
But through my pride
And through my shame
You show me love
You show me grace
I'm not looking back
Till I see Your face
And I'm running straight to You
Because...

Listening

To sit and listen at the Lord's feet, that is truly what I desire and yet I find it so hard sometimes. The distractions of life around me as well as my desires, hopes, fears and wishes cause me to want to impulsively charge ahead, when i recognize the need to sit quietly before the Lord and wait on Him.

Please pray for me, for an unspoken prayer request. Although it may seem trivial to some, in reality it involves a lot.

I am resting in the promise that He will take care of us, provide guidance and encouragement where they are needed, and give us the grace and strength to follow where He leads.

The Purest, Strongest Love

Song of Songs 8:6-7

Place me like a seal over you heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

A New Look

Today, at breakfast with my King, I read Proverbs 3 in the TNIV (Today's NIV) version...and verses 5 & 6 struck me in a new way.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

The use of the word "submit" instead of the usual "acknowledge" proved to be thought provoking, even at 7:45 in the morning. How many times do we simply "acknowledge" God and His plan, but then go on to live as we want, following our plans. Instead, submit emphasizes the first word of verse 5, trust.

Are we truly trusting if we only acknowledge God's plan for our lives, but don't submit to Him?

My Prayer

I pray these words on behalf of all those who are involved in or affected by the tragedy at home.

hide me now
under your wings
cover me
within your mighty hands

when the oceans rise
and thunders roar
i will soar with you
above the storm
father you are king
over the flood
i will be still
and know you are God

find rest my soul
in Christ alone
know His power
in quietness and trust

when the oceans rise
and thunders roar
i will soar with you
above the storm
Father you are king
over the flood
i will be still
and know you are God

* Still by Hillsong